Director of Donor Engagement
Director of Donor Engagement
Position Type: This is a full-time, salaried (overtime exempt) position with
full benefits. It reports to the school's Director of Advancement.
Direct Reports: This position does not have direct reports.
Position Description:
The Field School's program is ambitious and bold, and our employees, all of
whom are considered "faculty," are required to embody the mission of the
school - students discover their authentic selves and distinctive paths to
become empathetic, creative thinkers who act boldly to shape our shared
future - in their day-to-day interactions with students, in the design and
implementation of curriculum, and in their professional interaction with
colleagues.
A flexible and innovative mindset is required. As content experts and
students of best practice, all Field faculty are expected to adapt to their
students' learning interests and needs. Strong communication skills and a
willingness to collaborate are also important, as Field faculty in leadership
regularly work with teachers, student-support teams, department chairs,
and academic/departmental leadership to ensure that all of our students are
being supported and challenged by our mission.
At Field, we believe that students learn best when they feel a sense of
belonging at their school - when they are seen and valued by their faculty,
peers, and school community. Our approach to community emphasizes
respect for, and the inclusion of, all community members as individuals. We
equally value a focus on the common good and the well-being of the school
community as a whole. This balance means that we prioritize the community
without prioritizing sameness.
Field is a place where our classrooms are better because they mirror the
outside world we have a diversity of identity, thought, experience, and
ability. We believe in the interconnectedness of people and ideas, and we
strive to be a learning community at every level of the school. At the core,
teaching faculty of any discipline are expected to be committed learners and
model community members. While Field is an independent school we are not
independent of each other, or our established academic standards. Faculty
are members of the larger Field community and are expected to shepherd
the values of the school.
Specifically, the Director of Donor Engagement is tasked with identifying,
capitalizing on, and seeking new engagement and philanthropic
opportunities and support for the school.
Primary Responsibilities:
Manage a portfolio of 100-150 donors/prospects and solicit support for the Field
Fund.
Design and execute comprehensive fundraising and stewardship plans for each
donor/prospect in the assigned portfolio. Solicit gifts ranging from $1,000 to $10,000
and identify major gift prospects ($10,000+) for transition to other portfolios.
Manage community engagement and collaborate with key partners to track and
monitor event attendance and prepare materials as needed such as nametags,
registration lists, etc.
Partner with the advancement team and senior leaders on donor engagement
opportunities, gift prospects, and solicitations
Under the direction of the Director of Advancement, work with the appropriate staff
to secure project information and develop materials directed at individual
donors/prospects, such as highly personalized proposals that are in line with donor
interests and programmatic priorities.
Enhance the culture of giving within the community and develop stewardship
opportunities through special events, volunteer opportunities, and print/electronic
materials
Assist in the identification of potential leadership volunteers and other partners to
engage in fundraising.
Support the planning and execution of Advancement events, including alumni
gatherings, annual fundraisers, and cultivation events for new and current families.
Track portfolio activity and progress in Raiser's Edge NXT or other portals as directed.
Work with the Advancement team to set portfolio metrics, using innovative solutions
and sophisticated data analyses provided by the Director of the Field Fund to
increase dollars raised, acquire and retain donors, and increase parent and alumni
giving participation.
Work with the volunteers on the Dare to be Field Fundraiser, Field Parent Association,
and Alumni Ambassadors in planning fund-raising efforts. Set goals, timelines, and
monitor progress as needed.
Virtually participate in Trustee Advancement Committee meetings as they strategize
fund-raising efforts, timelines, and progress.
Manage a comprehensive alumni engagement strategy that connects, educates, and
motivates this audience through outreach, communications, and the Falcons in Flight
publication
Qualifications and Competencies:
Minimum of 5 years of experience in fundraising and development.
Familiarity setting and hitting large-scale gift goals and how individual goals and
metrics contribute to larger goals.
Bachelor's degree is desired
Intermediate-level proficiency with Raiser's Edge and NXT platforms. Knowledge of
Give Campus, Double the Donation, Google Suite, OneCause and Thankview
preferred.
Experience in a forward-facing role with a variety of audiences to build and grow a
culture of philanthropy.
Proven success in using prospect-giving history, data analytics, and research to
solicit contributions and drive results.
Demonstrated ability to build successful fundraising initiatives and appeals using new
technologies and best practices to produce outstanding results.
Excellent oral, written, and digital communications in direct solicitation and donor
acknowledgment.
Experience collaborating with a Communications department to create personalized
and persuasive appeals for giving and engagement.
Strong attention to detail and ability to manage logistics and multiple competing
priorities with minimal oversight.
Brings creativity, a strong work ethic, collaboration, enthusiasm, and positivity to the
role.
Experience in education, independent schools, and/or non-profit arena preferred.
Must be available for some weekend and evening responsibilities as needed for
events.
Work Environment: All Faculty may be asked to perform their work duties
at home (in the event of remote learning) and/or on campus. In both
settings, this role is required to maintain a professional, shared work
environment. While on campus, classes and other activities may be
operating either in person or in a distributed setting. All faculty are expected
to be present and accessible for the entire school day, regardless of the
setting.
Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, all faculty are
regularly required to talk and hear. This position, while primarily desk &
office-based, is at many times active. It requires sitting for prolonged
periods, and at times standing and walking, including stairs, and the
occasional moving/rearranging of furniture, equipment, and other heavy and
bulky items.
Travel: Regular off-campus local travel is expected to host and attend
events. Occasional regional and national overnight travel is also expected in
this position.
About The Field School: The Field School (grades 6-12) takes great pride
in providing students with an ideal blend of focus on academic excellence
and individual expression - all in a relaxed, joyful atmosphere. Through
dialogue among students and teachers, we encourage students to seek
knowledge and join in community. Field connects the various realms of
knowledge to help students understand their world and lead full lives. We
live our mission every day: Students discover their authentic selves and
distinctive paths to become empathetic, creative thinkers who act boldly to
shape our shared future.
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities,
duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities,
and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.
The School requires full immunization (initial vaccination and all recommended booster
shots) against COVID-19 subject to applicable medical exemptions under state and federal
law. If an exemption is requested, the School will determine whether reasonable
accommodations are available in accordance with applicable law.
The Field School is committed to building a diverse and equitable faculty. The school does
not discriminate based on a person's race, color, sex, gender, identity or expression,
national origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, homelessness, or
any other ground prohibited by Federal or District of Columbia law.